HOLSWORTHY boss Ryan Hall admits regaining the Torridge Cup in May is the target for the rest of the season after seeing off neighbours Bude Town 1-0 in the last four at Torrington on Thursday night.

Attacker Gavin Carter produced the decisive moment eight minutes in when he won an aerial challenge with goalkeeper Ty Rowe before slotting into an empty net.

Bude’s youngsters caused the Magpies plenty of problems in the first half, particularly down the right flank, and were unlucky not to equalise as Callum Deemer’s screamer was tipped over by Ryan Chadwick.

Five minutes before the break Bude’s man-of-the-match Jake Woodland rattled the underside of the bar from distance.

However, a Dylan Morgan header which went wide, plus a superb Aaron White ball in which nobody could get a touch to, were the closest they came in a second half where the Magpies had several chances to double their lead.

Reflecting on the evening, Hall said: “The game was very scrappy and lacked a bit of quality, we were particularly dissatisfied with our first half display, but I felt in the second half we really controlled the game and Bude didn’t really have a sniff at an opportunity.

“On another day we could have scored four or five.

“Married with a couple of good saves from their ‘keeper and some wayward finishing, it could have made it more comfortable than it was, but it wasn’t to be.”

Holsworthy have been beaten in the last two finals by Appledore and Torrington after winning it the season before, and Hall is proud as punch.

He continued: “We’re delighted with another final, four in a row, which honestly I’d never have dreamed of. It’s not the FA Cup with thousands of rounds, but it’s still a very good achievement for the lads and credit to them.

“It’ll also be nice going into this final without having played 1,000 games leading up to it, like the last two years, so we should be fresh and we will be ready for the game. These finals are tough and I expect this one to be no different.

“Everything now for our season leads to that game and we need to play with a combination which is both effective and a bit more attractive on the eye.”

Bude counterpart Steve Hackett felt his side deserved more.

He said: “I was really pleased with our overall performance last night. We got the ball down and tried to play football neatly and had the lion’s share of possession throughout.

“Obviously we’re disappointed to lose 1-0 on the night and the difference between the two sides was a goalkeeping mistake.

“We felt comfortable for most of the game and dealt with Holsworthy’s long ball approach nicely, but it’s the way it goes sometimes. They will be happy with the win and reaching the final even perhaps not being at their best.”

The two sides meet in the league on successive Fridays (April 11 and 18) and Hackett was delighted with his side’s performance, adding: “It was a good occasion and more experience for our young lads playing in a cup semi-final against our local rivals in front of a decent crowd.

“I’m proud of how my boys played and they can hold their heads up high.”